Category: autism spectrum disorder

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An Open Letter To My Beloved Church

To all Catholics, and all people of good will: May grace and peace be yours from the Father, through the Son, in the unity of the Holy Spirit!

I am an autistic Catholic priest.

My unusual identity gives a particular twist to how I am called to live out my priesthood. In the ancient world, one of the images used to describe the priest was pontifex, Latin for bridge-builder. We still use this term when we refer to the Pope as the Supreme Pontiff. The role of the priest was seen as building a bridge between divinity and humanity. Since Jesus Christ, by His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, reconciled us to the Father in the Spirit, He became known as the true High Priest, the ultimate bridge-builder between God and humanity.  All Catholic priests, from that time on, have been given a share in His work of bridge-building. Some exercise this in parish ministry. Others serve as hospital or prison chaplains. Still others dedicate themselves to specific groups of people who are in need of shepherds and bridge-builders. Continue reading “An Open Letter To My Beloved Church”

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Autism in the Pandemic: When We Don’t Conform

The following post was written by Aimée O’Connell, founder of the Mission of Saint Thorlak – which is now found at autismconsecrated.com.  I am also very involved with that website.  It seeks to support ministry both by and for autistic people, guided by the Way of Saint Thorlak.  Please feel free to browse that site. I offer this post here because I believe it will be encouraging for autistic people who follow my blog.  I hope it may be enlightening for people who seek to understand and love their autistic sisters and brothers. Continue reading “Autism in the Pandemic: When We Don’t Conform”

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The COVID-19 Zone

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How We Learn To Stop Worrying and Surrender to Love

 

We are about to begin Holy Week.

April is Autism Awareness Month.

We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All three realities converge for us now.  What do they have to do with one another? Nothing… and everything.   The pandemic, and our responses to it, have brought us to a crisis moment as the People of God.  There is hope on the horizon – an immense, brilliant hope, hidden in Christ but offered to us now.  Before we can perceive this hope, we must acknowledge our situation as it is. This will be very difficult for many.  It entails seeing things in a manner differently than the world as a whole sees things.  That is why we need to look to autistic people – people who habitually see things differently; people who are not fooled by ‘spin’ – as an example of what this means and how it can work.  It is the hour when people who appear to be of no use – such as autistic people and contemplatives – may have something valuable to share with everyone else.

Let us begin. Continue reading “The COVID-19 Zone”

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Prayer to Consecrate One’s Autism

I have recently composed a Prayer of Consecrating Our Autism to St. Thorlak.  It may be found here. It may be obtained in Kindle format here.

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know of my devotion to St. Thorlak as an unofficial (as yet) Patron Saint of Autism. This prayer is intended as a means for someone on the autism spectrum, or a family member of someone who cannot pray this themselves, to offer one’s autism to St. Thorlak, its gifts and its challenges, so that, through St. Thorlak’s intercession, one’s autism may serve the Lord in some way.

In this time of great uncertainty, which also provokes great anxiety among many on the spectrum, it is my fervent prayer and hope that, through this prayer, the Lord and St. Thorlak may bless and guide us and show us more clearly how our autism may serve the Lord.

 

 

 

 

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Moving Forward with COVID-19

This morning, I sense the need and the desire to return to the topic of coronavirus once more.

Why?

Well, for one thing, I have written two posts on this already.  Like Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, I feel an urge to make this a trilogy!

Secondly, the situation is rapidly evolving. Some of my comments over the weekend are already outdated.  Many cities and states and countries are severely restricting or closing down restaurants, bars, and other businesses that deal with significant numbers of people daily.

Thirdly, I have had many responses from people, both online and in person, to my weekend posts that have given me the opportunity for further reflection on all that is happening. Continue reading “Moving Forward with COVID-19”